35989 research outputs found
Sort by
East Tennessee State University Campus Map - 2025
No full text2025 campus map of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. ETSU Building Index listed along lest side. Symbols and Legend can be found on bottom left.https://dc.etsu.edu/rare-maps/1231/thumbnail.jp
IEP Team Decision-Making: Influences on Self-Contained Placement Decisions for Students with Disabilities Transitioning from Preschool to Kindergarten
Get PDFThe purpose of this narrative inquiry was to examine how IEP team members describe the key influences that impacted their decision-making during the preschool to kindergarten transition process for students with disabilities subsequently placed in self-contained special education settings. The study aimed to contribute to the literature by examining IEP team experiences and the decision-making process through the lens of social constructivism and ecological systems theory. Data collection included fifteen individual interviews with special education supervisors, school administrators, regular education teachers, special educators, and parents from three school districts. Analysis of data occurred in four phases: (a) organization of the raw data collected from interviews and documents (b) line-by-line and focused coding; (c) classification of information into categories or themes for pattern analysis; and (d) information was interpreted and summarized. The researcher identified program availability and resource constraints, the role of the special education preschool teacher, perceptions of students’ behavior, adaptive, and prevocational skills, and the lack of policy and guidelines as key themes and influencing factors on IEP team decision-making. This inquiry revealed insights into the transition process and decision-making, with recommendations for practice to advance policy development and equitable opportunities for students with disabilities in light of the principles of least restrictive environment
The Impacts of Fibrosis, High Fat Diet, and Estrogen Loss on Heart Structure and Function
No full textCardiovascular disease (CVD) is known to be a leading cause of illness and death both nationally and globally, and it impacts a significant number of women that live with CVD and have passed because of its impacts. Although CVD is prominent in both males and females, most research has been performed on male models leaving a significant gap in knowledge on the topic of CVD in women. A significant feature in heart failure is accumulation in cardiac fibrosis where the damaged heart tissue is replaced with scar tissue. The purpose of this research is to assist in closing this gap regarding women and their cardiovascular health by studying how estrogen loss and a high fat diet (HFD) impact fibrosis levels. Our central hypothesis is that prolonged estrogen loss and HFD will increase fibrosis. This research will use aged animals that are 18 months post-ovariectomy (OVX) with HFD that was applied at 20 months and will be carried out for 3 months. The animals will be divided into 4 groups: SHAM, OVX, SHAM +HFD, and OVX + HFD. Masson’s Trichrome staining is used to detect fibrosis after heart tissue is collected and sectioned. The expected results of this study are to observe the highest levels of fibrosis in mice who are part of the OVX + HFD treatment group
Big Food and the Health of Americans
No full textThere are few studies done on the Ultra-Processed Food industry and its effect on human health in the United States, despite America’s obesity epidemic. The Ultra-Processed food industry is commonly called “Big Food”. This review aims at the association between Big Food and how it affects the health of Americans. The NOVA classification system is used to classify foods. A one on the NOVA classification system is considered unprocessed or minimally processed foods. Groups two and three represent food that is processed by cooking. Group four represents foods that are high in fat, sugar, and very little nutrients, also called Ultra-processed. The Hyper-palatability and price of Ultra Processed Foods makes them especially addictive and can be damaging to Americans. In this literature review, research was done to understand the association between Big Food and the health of Americans. Purpose Statement and Research Question: According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 100 million adults have obesity, and obesity cost the United States healthcare system almost $173 billion per year. The research question is how the increased or decreased regulation of Big Food companies impacts the health outcomes of the American population. Literature Review: Articles five years or less, peer reviewed journals in English. Conclusions and Nursing Implications: In conclusion, more research is indicated for the topic. Research shows that consuming Ultra-Processed food results in adverse health effects, thus more research should be done on Big Food companies. The nursing implications for this are promoting community health, advocating for food policy changes, promoting healthy eating, and diet education. In the hospital setting, it is important for nurses to perform a mini-nutritional assessment on their patients so nutrition-based interventions can be implemented to prevent re-hospitalization and promote wellness. Key Search Terms: Big food, Ultra-processed food, health, obesity, America, cost
MITM Attacks on Intracardiovascular Defibrillators.
No full textI am planning to perform research related to the attack on bluetooth connected heart rate monitors. We plan to try attacking a few different brands to help understand what might make them vulnerable. The plan is to find ways to either impede communication to the phone or to either mimic or confuse the connected device or phone. This research could very easily help uncover the flaws in forcing tech into every sector
Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Support on Pregnancy Outcomes
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic led to myriad effects across multiple disciplines of research. Among populations of note for this period are individuals who were pregnant and gave birth during the time of pandemic-related lockdowns. In my honors thesis, I plan to explore associations between social support and birth outcomes through the years 2019-present. My intention in selecting a sample from this period is to capture data from individuals who were pregnant pre-pandemic, during the peak of the pandemic, and post-pandemic lockdowns and restrictions. I plan to use online survey methodology to recruit individuals who gave birth during the period of 2019-2025. Caregivers will complete the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Pregnancy and Birth Stress Inventory, and the Health-Resiliency-Stress Questionnaire, which is a measure of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The latter will be completed by the caregiver on behalf of both themself and their child. With this data, I will test several hypotheses. First, I hypothesize that social support will correlate negatively with ACEs. Second, I expect to see social support correlate negatively with pregnancy and birth stress. Third, I predict that social support will act as a mediator between caregiver ACEs and child ACEs. My final hypothesis is that mean levels of social support will be significantly lower in 2020 and 2021 when compared to 2019, but that they will reach levels equal to 2019 in later years. For the first two hypotheses, I will use a Pearson correlational analysis to analyze results. I will test my third hypothesis using a mediation analysis. Finally, I will test my fourth hypothesis using an independent samples t-test. I hope through this study I can contribute to a greater understanding of how social support impacts pregnancy and help psychologists appropriately respond to effects of future crises if they occur
The Effects of Light Pollution on The Foraging Habits of Bats
No full textLight pollution refers to the artificial light created by humans that is often excessively bright and disrupts the natural darkness during the night. For nocturnal animals like bats, this excess light could interfere with their natural foraging habits. Since bats prey on insects through the use of echolocation, some species are more drawn to lights to forage since more insects are readily available, while others avoid lights and consequently have reduced foraging areas. In East Tennessee, bats help control insect numbers and artificial lights may be affecting their ability to thrive. During this research, areas that have lots of light, low light and no light will be set up with bat call recorders to determine the frequency of bat foraging in each of those areas. It is expected that the foraging activity will vary between different areas of lighting intensities since some bats may experience increased activity since there is an increase in the amount of prey under bright streetlights while others may experience reduced activity due to echolocation interference or light avoidance. The data collected will be used to help determine the relationship between artificial light and bat foraging behavior. This relationship can contribute to bat conservation and light management strategies to help mitigate the effects of light pollution on bats and the ecosystems they support
Buzzed and Bothered: Investigating the Impact of Addictive Plant Alkaloids on Bumblebee Behavior
No full textThe relationship between plants and pollinators is often viewed as a strict food-for-service exchange in which plants provide nutritious rewards (nectar, pollen) for pollinators in exchange for the dispersal of plants’ gametes (pollen). Yet in addition to provisioning key nutrients, the floral rewards of many plants contain diverse chemical compounds whose functions are mysterious or even puzzling. For example, many floral rewards contain plant secondary compounds that have are traditionally classified as defensive toxins. Some of these “toxins” include neuroactive alkaloids that affect pollinator cognitive functions such as learning and motivation, suggesting dual roles for these phytochemicals. We are investigating the behavioral and physiological responses of generalist pollinators (Bombus impatiens bumblebees) to three psychoactive plant alkaloids – caffeine, nicotine, and morphine – using robotic flowers. Pollinator preference and performance assays are coupled with pollen transfer experiments to identify potential tradeoffs or conflicts in alkaloid-mediated plant-pollinator interactions, and to assess the potential for hijacking of pollinator behaviors by plants. Investigations into plant manipulation of pollinator preference is particularly salient given that some pollinators have even found to exhibit addictive behaviors to neonicotinoid insecticides. With a better understanding of how floral reward chemistry affects pollinator cognition, behavior, and foraging decisions, we hope to work towards reconciling the seemingly contradictory forces that shape plant–insect coevolution and drive plant chemodiversity
Political Viewpoints and Leadership Characteristics
No full textLeadership remains a critical factor in organizational and societal success, and understanding how individuals perceive and value leadership traits is essential for cultivating effective leaders. This study explores the relationship between individuals’ political viewpoints—categorized as Liberal, Independent, or Conservative—and their preferences for leadership characteristics. Building on existing research, this study aims to bridge gaps in understanding the intersection of political ideology and leadership characteristics preferences. Using a quantitative approach, data from 141 respondents were analyzed through one-way ANOVA and post hoc comparisons. The results gathered of participants’ preferences for specific leadership characteristics were grouped into four categories for analysis: behavioral, personality, impact, and moral characteristics. The results reveal that political viewpoints significantly influence preferences for personality characteristics, particularly transparency, with Liberals and Independents differing in their assessments of its importance. In contrast, behavioral, impact, and moral characteristics, including the universally valued trait of integrity, exhibited no significant differences across political groups. These findings suggest that while political ideology shapes perceptions of certain leadership traits, many qualities are regarded as essential regardless of political affiliation. This research offers practical insights for leadership development, emphasizing the importance of integrity as a universal trait and advocating for the inclusion of transparency in contexts where it resonates with specific groups. The study concludes by recommending broader demographic representation, exploration of contextual factors, and mixed-methods approaches for future research. By identifying both shared and divergent leadership expectations, this study contributes to the broader research on leadership within a politically diverse world